Dokken was initially composed of founder Don Dokken on vocals, George Lynch on lead guitar, Juan Croucier on bass, and Mick Brown on drums. The southern California group pursued a heavy yet melodic sound reminiscent of prior bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, finding success in the 80s hard rock and metal boom. The band recorded and released 'Breaking the Chains', their first studio album, in 1983. Though their fortunes struggled somewhat in the United States, they picked up a big popular response in Europe.
In 1984, Croucier left Dokken in order to join Ratt. He was replaced by multi-instrumentalist Jeff Pilson, who soon became a rock idol alongside Don Dokken and George Lynch. Their next several albums and singles showed them to be a powerful commercial force, particularly winning fans with their music videos (their one for "Dream Warriors" even featured the band facing off against Freddy Krueger himself). Their 1988 live album 'Beast from the East' earned them a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance as well. However, Don Dokken's and George Lynch's creative differences, as well as their growing personal conflicts, brought about tension and even caused the group to break-up in 1988, though they had released multi-platinum work appealing to numerous hard rockers and metalheads.
The band has faced many changes over the years since. It wasn't until 1995 that the group resurfaced and released new material, facing a rather tepid response. As time went on, only Dokken and Brown remained from the original line-up. After several personnel alterations on guitar, Dokken's former attorney Jon Levin even stepped in to fill the role in 2004. In 2009, Sean McNabb (formerly of Great White and Quiet Riot fame) took the bass guitar slot. Mark Boals (formely of Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force) then took McNabb's position in 2014.
A series of successful web commercials for Norton Internet Security 2010 put the group back in the spotlight, the comedic spots depicting the band as a malicious computer virus. Dokken's tenth studio album, titled 'Lightning Strikes Again', was released on May 13, 2008 via Rhino Records. Several critics recommended the work as a comeback to their 'classic' sound. Their 11th album was released in 2012, 'Broken Bones'.
In 2023, Dokken, now consisting of frontman and founder Don Dokken, guitarist Jon Levin, bassist Chris McGarvill and drummer BJ Zampa, unveiled 12th album, 'Heaven Comes Down', which will be released via Silver Lining Music on October 27, 2023.
When Heaven Comes Down
Dokken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone's religion and greed
Accidents happen, someone to blame
Who's got the answers we need?
I don't know who to believe
But I know who's gonna set me free
Cause I'll be waiting
When heaven comes down
Look at the future again
Angels in heaven walking the streets
Searching for someone to blame
I don't know who to believe
But I know who's gonna set me free
Cause I'll be waiting
When heaven comes down
Until tomorrow
When heaven comes down
Cause I'll be waiting
When heaven comes down
Until tomorrow
When heaven comes down
The lyrics to Dokken's song "When Heaven Comes Down" deal with themes of confusion and questioning of faith, and it contemplates on the concept of heaven coming down to earth. The opening line, "Total confusion - one final sin," implies that there is a disarray or chaos in the world, and that there is an impending end or judgment that people fear. The following line references the role of religion and greed. This line can be seen as Dokken questioning the intentions of those in power in religious institutions who may have ulterior motives. The next line "Accidents happen, someone to blame" denotes that people are often quick to assign responsibility, but all the while, nobody knows the answers to the questions that they seek.
As the song progresses, the band reflects on the future, with a tone of uncertainty and fear for what's to come. They explore the idea of angels walking the streets and searching for someone to blame. This is an especially poignant line because it hints at the potential for violence or harm that could come from this kind of mentality. The last two lines, "I don't know who to believe, but I know who's gonna set me free" imply that there is a conflict between what people are being told and what they believe to be true. However, they know that heaven will come down someday, and they'll be waiting for it.
Line by Line Meaning
Total confusion- one final sin
With so much chaos around and too many immoralities, everything now feels uncertain and unbearable, leading to the final wrongdoing.
Someone's religion and greed
People's misguided beliefs in religion and excessive desire for wealth are major factors contributing to society's troubles.
Accidents happen, someone to blame
Mistakes occur, people feel responsibility for those mistakes, and someone usually must take the blame.
Who's got the answers we need?
In times of trouble, it's difficult to know where to turn for guidance and answers to our problems.
I don't know who to believe
Amidst all the confusion, it's challenging to differentiate between what's true or false, which only adds to the bewilderment.
But I know who's gonna set me free
Despite the uncertainties, the singer knows that someone or something will help them break free from the bondage they feel.
Cause I'll be waiting When heaven comes down
The singer believes that after enduring the challenges of life, a time will come when they can taste the fruits of their perseverance.
Ashes to ashes, sorrow and shame
In the face of despair and humiliation, the artist only has their ashes and memories to hold on to.
Look at the future again
Despite past setbacks, the artist encourages themselves and others always to look forward, with hope, to a better future.
Angels in heaven walking the streets
In the afterlife, the artist pictures angels roaming the streets, either for joy or to seek someone to blame for their earthly suffering.
Searching for someone to blame
The singer suggests that angels may seek someone they can hold accountable for their earthly failures, indicating that the search for 'sinners' doesn't end with death.
Until tomorrow When heaven comes down
The future may hold the promise of a better life, but that doesn't ingratiate the daily struggles faced by the artist or anyone else.
Cause I'll be waiting When heaven comes down
The singer patiently waits for the time when they can experience the heavens 'coming down' and releasing them from the bondages of life.
Until tomorrow When heaven comes down
Although the promise of heaven awaits, the singer endures and holds onto hope until that day arrives.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DON DOKKEN, GEORGE LYNCH, JEFF PILSON, MICK BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Saxxon
One of the heaviest tracks Dokken has ever produced... Lynch just crushing it. 35 years later and still blowing speakers with this track.
Saxxon
37 yrs later...
Saxxon
@Dan W I said one of the heavist tracks. This smokes Lightning strikes again https://youtu.be/gemAcGv73-Y
Dan W
lightning strikes again is better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RiLKn7gnj8
IGG_ STATIC
Agree one of the first songs I've ever heard from dokken when I was a kid blew my mind lol
Carie Mcclendon
Anytime I would put in some Dokken back in the day, almost every song I could relate to in one way or another and it would always speak to my heart. You know they are priceless when you put on one of their albums today and it grabs your soul the same way it did the first time you heard it ;) REAL MUSIC!!
Tom Morrow
DAMN RIGHT!!!!!
Matthew Robinson
@Michael J I love Facelift, but Dirt is 100 times better. Every song is a classic.
Michael J
Both sides of the record go out ultra heavy and fast too. This is one of those records that's so good that it's still better than a "Greatest Hits" record. A few other bands have that too: Ozzy's Diary..., Journey's Infinity... Alice in Chains "Facelift"... Lots. Peace, love and Monster Magnet.
Skooby_doobie_Doonkann33
Me too! Don Dokken also talked about how he wrote music that people would relate to